Are U2 coming to South Africa in 2011?

According to an article from Entertainment Africa, U2 might play South Africa in February next year.

If this rumour eventuates, it will be a very rare occurrence. U2 have only visited South Africa once before, for the last two concerts of the Popmart Tour. Those were on 16 March 1998 in Cape Town and 21 March 1998 in Johannesburg. Bono has returned to South Africa twice for special appearances since this, both in 2003: Nelson Mandela's 85th birthday on 19 July, and the 46664 charity concert on 29 November, the latter with The Edge.

Unfortunately, we cannot link directly to the Entertainment Africa article due to their site design. Hence, we reproduce it in full below for your convenience (if you really want to see it at the original source, it is in the news sub-section of the music section). Remember to take the following as nothing more than a rumour at this stage:

"U2 are believed to be returning to South Africa for two shows in February, EntertainmentAfrica.com has learned from a reliable source in the UK.

"The Irish supergroup, currently on their 360 Degree Tour, are reportedly set to play stadium shows in Cape Town and Johannesburg - marking the first time the full band have performed in the country since 1998.

"The official SA tour announcement is anticipated later in September. In the interim U2's record company, Universal, has issued a statement saying that the tour "is not confirmed".

"The concert spectacle features a 360-degree stage - allowing the audience to sit on all sides - which makes use of a four-legged 50-metre tall structure called "The Claw". Holding the record as the largest concert stage structure it holds the speaker system and a cylindrical video screen that hovers above the band, or can be lowered to behind the four performers.

"Despite the tour being the most expensive ever to run - with 120 trucks needed to transport equipment and staging between shows - it helped U2 top Billboard magazine's Top 40 Money Makers list with earnings of R872-million in 2009 from touring, record sales, and other royalties.

"U2 have been out on the road since June 2009 in support of their most recent album, 'No Line On The Horizon'. They resumed their global tour in Turin, Italy on 6 August following emergency surgery on singer Bono's back, which forced them to miss a headline performance at the Glastonbury Festival in England and postpone a series of North American dates.

"The band last performed in South Africa on their Popmart tour 12 years ago with the typically over the top staging featuring a giant mirrorball lemon, a 30-metre golden arch, and a 3.8m olive on a 30-metre cocktail stick. Bono and guitarist The Edge performed at the 46664 concert in Cape Town in 2003."